Cello beginners must see! Bow Hair Change Explained

The bow plays a very important role in playing the cello. In order to produce a beautiful tone, it is essential to keep the bow in good condition at all times. The hair of the bow, in particular, requires regular maintenance, and changing the hair is an important part of this process. Here we explain the importance of bow hair changing and the process for beginner cello players.

The Importance of Bow Hair Changing

Bow hair, usually horse tail hair, is the part of the bow that rubs against the string to produce sound. Over time, the hair can become dirty and worn, affecting playing quality. Replacing the bristles with new ones can greatly improve the clarity and range of expression of the sound. Generally, it is recommended that professional players change the bristles every six months to a year, and hobbyists should do so every one to two years.

Signs of a hair change

• Bristles are thinning or becoming uneven.


• The bristles are noticeably dirty, and pine needles do not ride well on the bristles.


• The sound is muffled, or does not seem to resonate as well as it used to.

If you see any of these signs, it may be time to change the bristles.

Refurbishment Process

Because bow rehairing requires specialized skills, it is best to have an experienced music store or bow craftsman perform the rehairing process. The process is as follows

1. Remove old hair: Carefully remove the old hair from the tip and frog (frog) of the bow.


2. Cleaning and inspection: The frog and tip of the bow are cleaned and checked for damage.


3. Install new hairs: Install new hairs on the bow at the proper length and density, and tension evenly.


4. Adjustment and finishing: The bow is balanced, a final check is made, and pine resin is applied to complete the process.

Conclusion

Changing the hair on your bow is extremely important to maintaining the tone of your cello. Determining the proper time to change the hair and having a professional do it will ensure that your cello is always in the best playing condition. To ensure the longevity of your cello, do not neglect regular maintenance.